Answered4 years ago
Will I face issues re-entering Thailand after multiple visa exemptions?
Hi all.
I came into Thailand on 30th November last year, 45 day stamp,then another 30 days from immigration, I then flew to Vietnam for 4 days came back, got another 45 days, now have another 30 days from immigration, which ends on 28th April, have booked a flight back to Vietnam for 5 days then will come back again,do you think this will be a problem, I am leaving for Cambodia in July,
I came into Thailand on 30th November last year, 45 day stamp,then another 30 days from immigration, I then flew to Vietnam for 4 days came back, got another 45 days, now have another 30 days from immigration, which ends on 28th April, have booked a flight back to Vietnam for 5 days then will come back again,do you think this will be a problem, I am leaving for Cambodia in July,
Answer summary
The questioner is concerned about possible issues when re-entering Thailand after using multiple visa exemptions and extensions. They originally entered Thailand with a tourist stamp and have made several border runs to extend their stay. Commenters noted that re-entry could depend on the discretion of immigration officers, who might suspect intentions to reside in the country illegally. It was suggested that obtaining a tourist visa would look better to immigration compared to consecutive visa exemptions. Additionally, some commenters highlighted the increasing scrutiny on back-to-back visa exemptions, advising potential travelers to have legitimate reasons for their entries and exits.
40 repliesnewest first
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James *********
Show IO your prebooked flight out of Thailand
Phil ******
It may be or it may not be. It depends on the immigration officer who may think your living here in Thailand and thinks you are scamming the thai immigration system.
Larry ******
If it ends up being a problem just fly to Vientiane or something and come in via land.
Allison *******
i think they will tell you its your last one and to get the appropriate visa next time
Anthony ********
OPHow do you get a tourist visa
Dave ******
It looks much better to the immigration officer if you get a tourist visa, instead of just the free visa exempt stamp.
Mike ********
@Dave *****
I originally entered on a 60 day TR visa and used the 30 day extension option on it,.
Oleg ***********
It will be a problem 99% especially if go yourself and not transport company who do this. Third time like this yourself not good
Mike ********
@Oleg **********
I am only doing it legitamitly, Thai imo make the rules and I am playing by them, I don’t know if age is a factor in the way they think, but I suppose the look at an older person as more likely to want to stay longer, especially if retired,which I am, but haven’t drawn any pensions yet and only finished work on *****
/22,so I just state my old job title on TM6 form,.next time I return to thailand I will get a AO visa and be done with it,.Chris ***********
Limited to a maximum of two visa-exempt entries per calendar year.
Clive *******
@Chris **********
only by landChris ***********
@Clive ******
While there are no official restrictions on entry by air, immigration officers have the discretion to refuse tourists entry and require them to obtain a formal visa from a Thai embassy beforehand.Chris ***********
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.php.Anthony ********
OP@Chris **********
interestingChris ***********
Ok , try visa runs back to back 3 + 4 times in a 1 year period on visa exemptions and see what happens.
Yes I have done so in the past, I would not advise doing this now.
Yes I have done so in the past, I would not advise doing this now.
Mike ********
@Chris **********
Yes,by land borders,.Оливер *********
@Chris **********
that's rubbishAllison *******
@Chris **********
only via land bordersOleg ***********
@Chris **********
can do more, but not yourself. It will cost mireAnthony ********
OPI have stayed in the same hotel since I arrived in jomtien
Mitchell *******
Are you checking into a hotel on arrival? Are you actually moving around Thailand?
If you keep coming, and registering at the same non tourist accommodation (or not registering at all), then that will flag someone, I am sure.
If you keep coming, and registering at the same non tourist accommodation (or not registering at all), then that will flag someone, I am sure.
Mike ********
@Mitchell ******
I have a Tm30 address,. and use of a car to travel about,. Hopefully my ****
/23 return flight tkt to uk will pacify them ! I’ve moved around thailand extensively during my stay, but I have tapered it down allot over the last few months with just day trips,.Mike ********
I am only a few days behind you, I arrived 25th nov 22,.came in on a 60TR visa,. and have done 2 x30 day extensions, 1 x border bounce @45 day,. I’m ok now untill 6th may 23,. I need 1 more border bounce to get me to my may 12th (can be changed) homeward flight (uk), I’m thinking of a another 30 day extension on my final b/ounce, that will take me up to/over the 180 days max tourist stay, July 6th would be my last day before all my options are maxed out,.is this doable,.?
Mike ********
I plan on going to Mae sot border again, problem is if the Thai imo stamp me out and I get stamped in and out of mayanmar go back to Thai imo and if they refused entry where do you go ? You can’t actually enter mayanmar so basicly you/I could be stuck in no mans land,. My only get out of jail plan is that I have a flight booked to uk on
****
/23, so hopefully worse case scenario I could use that as a lever,.
Darren *******
@Mike *******
there's no such thing as "max tourist stay". Whether your plan is feasible or not will lie solely at the discretion of the immigration officer upon your return to Thailand.
Bob **********
It up to the IO and how he feels that day could be denied or a warning and told not to come back next time without the proper visa there starting to get pretty tough on back to back exemptions
Patrick ********
@Bob *********
absolutelyDarren *******
It may be or it may not be. It depends on the immigration officer who sees you and whether he or she thinks you're trying to live in Thailand on a visa exemption.
Anthony ********
OPOK thanks for your help
Michael *******
@Darren ******
Trying to??? Its pretty obvious.Anthony ********
OP@Michael ******
OK thanksAnthony ********
OP@Michael ******
I wasn't trying to live here on a visa exemption, I only intended to stay a maximum of 8 months, I was quoted 35 thousand baht for a retirement visa,I looked at the options of flying in and out a couple of times and that was the cheapest option, I was led to believe that you were allowed to fly in and out of Thailand 3 times, or 2 land border crossing
Ernesto ********
@Anthony *******
why would it cost *****
for a retirement visa? Can’t you get get one yourself?Оливер *********
@Prinze *****
what you're saying is simply not true. I did more then 3 air entries in the last six months visa exempt. They never really questioned me. As I said bevor, unlimited air entries. An IO can always refuse you entry even the first time of entry. That's world wide with every country. It's the way you present yourself. Especially if you call the IO bro
Prinze ******
@Оливер ********
better check your facts bro. Flying in is allowed 3x every 6 months. It looks like it's infinite because 1x flying in (30 days visa) + 30 days extension (30 days). So do the math 3x 6 months, BUT!!! If you do not maximize the days, Immigration will flag you and ask you to get a proper Visa, because if you will continue doing that you are not just a regular TOURIST and you're abusing the border bounce.2x per calendar year border bounce is correct.
Оливер *********
@Prinze *****
you have two land entries per calender year and can fly in as many times you want.There is no such thing as 3 border bounces per six months!
Prinze ******
@Anthony *******
you are correct. 3x within 6 months you are allowed to border bounce. But on your 3rd attempt, it might raise some suspicion so the Immigration officers will probably ask you to get a proper Visa (for your next visit). To answer your question, they will allow you to do it for the 3rd time and be ready for some questioning.
Steve *******
@Anthony *******
There's no flying in an out 3 times rule. It's all down to the Immigration Officer on the day whether you're granted entry or refused.Darren *******
@Michael ******
I completely agree with you but immigration officers aren't always the brightest.
Nigel *********
Sounds like a sound plan.
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